However, neither kingdom could aid the other when new evils set upon them - in the North [[Angmar]] attacked Arthedain while in the South the [[Wainriders]] struck in great force. Ondoher was not taken unaware by the renewed assault for [[Forthwini]] of [[Éothéod]] had informed the King that the Wainriders had recovered from their fears and weaknesses. Ondoher also learned that Gondor's southern enemies were preparing to attack. He raised as great an army as he could to meet the double threat.

However, neither kingdom could aid the other when new evils set upon them - in the North [[Angmar]] attacked Arthedain while in the South the [[Wainriders]] struck in great force. Ondoher was not taken unaware by the renewed assault for [[Forthwini]] of [[Éothéod]] had informed the King that the Wainriders had recovered from their fears and weaknesses. Ondoher also learned that Gondor's southern enemies were preparing to attack. He raised as great an army as he could to meet the double threat.

−

Ondoher divided his strength into two armies, assigning the smaller to [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]], a member of the Royal House descended from King [[Telumehtar Umbardacil|Telumehtar]]. This army was based at [[Pelargir]] while Ondoher took command of the larger northern army himself, which included his elder son [[Artamir]]. This arrangement was acceptable provided that an undisputed heir to the throne was left behind, in this case Ondoher's younger son, [[Faramir (son of Ondoher)|Faramir]].

+

Ondoher divided his strength into two armies, assigning the smaller [[Southern Army]] to [[Eärnil II|Eärnil]], a member of the Royal House descended from King [[Telumehtar Umbardacil|Telumehtar]]. This army was based at [[Pelargir]] while Ondoher took command of the larger [[Northern Army]] himself, which included his elder son [[Artamir]]. This arrangement was acceptable provided that an undisputed heir to the throne was left behind, in this case Ondoher's younger son, [[Faramir (son of Ondoher)|Faramir]].

+

===The Deaths of Ondoher and His Sons===

===The Deaths of Ondoher and His Sons===

In {{TA|1944}} the enemies of [[Gondor]] made a double assault: First the [[Haradrim]] invaded from the south and then a few days later word came of the [[Wainriders]] invading from the east. While Ëarnil moved to deal with the southern incursion the northern army headed north through [[Ithilien]], planning to deploy upon the [[Dagorlad]]. Unfortunately, the Wainriders moved faster than expected along the outskirts of the [[Ered Lithui]] and struck the head of Gondor's army before any defensive dispositions had been made. Swiftly the enemy's chariots and horsemen overwhelmed the King's Guard, killing both Ondoher and Artamir.

In {{TA|1944}} the enemies of [[Gondor]] made a double assault: First the [[Haradrim]] invaded from the south and then a few days later word came of the [[Wainriders]] invading from the east. While Ëarnil moved to deal with the southern incursion the northern army headed north through [[Ithilien]], planning to deploy upon the [[Dagorlad]]. Unfortunately, the Wainriders moved faster than expected along the outskirts of the [[Ered Lithui]] and struck the head of Gondor's army before any defensive dispositions had been made. Swiftly the enemy's chariots and horsemen overwhelmed the King's Guard, killing both Ondoher and Artamir.

−

King Ondoher's sister-son, [[Minohtar]] attempted to stem the onslaught of the Wainriders. During the rout the leader of the [[Éothéod]] brought to Minohtar the body of the King's second son, Faramir, who had disguised himself in order to fight in the war and who had ridden with a party of the Éothéod that had been hit near the [[Dead Marshes]]. Soon Minohtar himself slain as the enemy poured into northern Ithilien.

+

King Ondoher's sister-son, [[Minohtar]] attempted to stem the onslaught of the Wainriders. During the rout the [[leader of the Éothéod]] brought to Minohtar the body of Faramir, who had disguised himself in order to fight with a party of the Éothéod. Soon Minohtar himself slain as the enemy poured into northern Ithilien.

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==Selecting the Next King==

==Selecting the Next King==

The suddenness of their victory was the Wainriders' undoing. Unbeknownst to them Eärnil had crushed the [[Haradrim]] and was racing north to aid the northern army. His attack upon the feasting Wainriders, later known as the [[Battle of the Camp]], defeated the Wainriders and sent them reeling back into the East.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

The suddenness of their victory was the Wainriders' undoing. Unbeknownst to them Eärnil had crushed the [[Haradrim]] and was racing north to aid the northern army. His attack upon the feasting Wainriders, later known as the [[Battle of the Camp]], defeated the Wainriders and sent them reeling back into the East.<ref>{{UT|Cirion}}</ref>

Contents

History

Renewing Old Ties

Ondoher became King in T.A.1936 upon the death of his father, Calimehtar.[2] During his reign, and that of Araphant of Arthedain, the long-estranged kingdoms of the Dúnedain took counsel again, for they finally perceived that some single will and power was coordinating the multiple assaults upon their kingdoms. In a sign of their renewed relationship, Ondoher's daughter Fíriel married Prince Arvedui of Arthedain in 1940.[3]

However, neither kingdom could aid the other when new evils set upon them - in the North Angmar attacked Arthedain while in the South the Wainriders struck in great force. Ondoher was not taken unaware by the renewed assault for Forthwini of Éothéod had informed the King that the Wainriders had recovered from their fears and weaknesses. Ondoher also learned that Gondor's southern enemies were preparing to attack. He raised as great an army as he could to meet the double threat.

Ondoher divided his strength into two armies, assigning the smaller Southern Army to Eärnil, a member of the Royal House descended from King Telumehtar. This army was based at Pelargir while Ondoher took command of the larger Northern Army himself, which included his elder son Artamir. This arrangement was acceptable provided that an undisputed heir to the throne was left behind, in this case Ondoher's younger son, Faramir.

The Deaths of Ondoher and His Sons

In T.A.1944 the enemies of Gondor made a double assault: First the Haradrim invaded from the south and then a few days later word came of the Wainriders invading from the east. While Ëarnil moved to deal with the southern incursion the northern army headed north through Ithilien, planning to deploy upon the Dagorlad. Unfortunately, the Wainriders moved faster than expected along the outskirts of the Ered Lithui and struck the head of Gondor's army before any defensive dispositions had been made. Swiftly the enemy's chariots and horsemen overwhelmed the King's Guard, killing both Ondoher and Artamir.

King Ondoher's sister-son, Minohtar attempted to stem the onslaught of the Wainriders. During the rout the leader of the Éothéod brought to Minohtar the body of Faramir, who had disguised himself in order to fight with a party of the Éothéod. Soon Minohtar himself slain as the enemy poured into northern Ithilien.

Selecting the Next King

The suddenness of their victory was the Wainriders' undoing. Unbeknownst to them Eärnil had crushed the Haradrim and was racing north to aid the northern army. His attack upon the feasting Wainriders, later known as the Battle of the Camp, defeated the Wainriders and sent them reeling back into the East.[4]

With King Ondoher and both of his male heirs dead, Arvedui of Arthedain sought the throne of Gondor. Arvedui put forth two arguments in support of his claim: First, he was the direct descendant of Isildur, whom Arvedui said had never relinquished his royalty in Gondor. Second, his wife Fíriel was King Ondoher's daughter and by the ancient Númenórean law the sceptre should have been hers. But Arvedui's claim was rejected by the Steward Pelendur and the Council of Gondor. The crown was granted to the victorious general Eärnil, of the royal House of Anárion who took the crown as King Eärnil II.[3]

Etymology

The name "Ondoher" was spelled as Ondohir in early manuscripts, changed to Ondonir in a later manuscript, reverted to Ondohir in the first edition of The Return of the King, and finally became Ondoher in the second edition.[1]